Australia

SYDNEY: Australian shares rose 0.6 percent to their highest close in more than five years after Wall Street rose overnight on hopes that US military action against Syria can be avoided, but a modest fall in gold capped gains.The S&P/ASX 200 index added 33.2 points to finish at 5,234.4, its highest since late June 2008. The benchmark rose 0.4 percent on Tuesday.New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index rose 0.2 percent to 4,634.9. Copyright Reuters, 2013 ...

SYDNEY: Australian shares rose 0.4 percent on Monday after a conservative coalition won a landslide victory in the federal election, while strong data released from Australia's top export market China also boosted investor sentiment.The local bourse posted a modest gain as the incoming government led by Prime Minister-elect Tony Abbott promised to reboot a stalled mining boom and revive an appetite for investment.Miners rose, underpinned by a lift in copper prices as investors bet a ...

SYDNEY: Australian shares fell 0.4 percent on Thursday, as investors locked-in profits in banks and miners ahead of Saturday's national elections, while surprisingly large trade deficit further dampened sentiment.Australia posted a trade deficit of A$765 million in July, compared with an expected balanced position. Investors were cautious ahead of the US nonfarm payrolls on Friday, which could provide an important clue on whether the Federal Reserve will start to reduce its stimulus this month.The S&P/ASX ...

SYDNEY: Australian shares fell 0.7 percent on Wednesday, retreating from 3-1/2 month highs, as the United States edged closer to military action against Syria, but a rally in gold prices helped temper losses.The S&P/ASX 200 index lost 35 points to finish at 5,161.6.The benchmark rose 0.2 percent on Tuesday to its highest close since May 20.New Zealand's benchmark NZX 50 index rose 0.1 percent or 3.6 points to finish the session at 4,610.3. Copyright Reuters, ...

SYDNEY: Australian shares rose 0.7 percent on Monday as better-than-expected manufacturing data from China, Australia's largest export market, and a rise in local building approvals boosted investor sentiment.Financial heavyweights underpinned the market with top lender National Australia Bank adding 1.3 percent and Westpac Banking Corporation jumping 1.5 percent, continuing their bull-run on the back of attractive dividend yields and record earnings.Growth in China's manufacturing sector picked up further in August, official purchasing managers' index (PMI) ...